Development of a self-powered photoelectrochemical system (SPPS) for the determination of propyl gallate

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 148; pp. 424 - 432
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Greicy Kelly Cerqueira, da Silva, Fernanda Gabrielle Soares, Ferreira, Andréia Rodrigues, de Cássia Silva Luz, Rita, Damos, Flávio Santos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2019
• Subjects: LED light; Photoelectrochemical sensors; Propyl gallate; Self-powered; LED light; Photoelectrochemical sensors; Propyl gallate; Self-powered
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.05.006

The development of a photoelectrochemical cell for the self-powered determination of propyl gallate (PG) is presented. The photoelectrochemical measurements were performed in a two-compartment self-powered photoelectrochemical cell (SPPC) based on CdSe/CdS/FTO as photoanode for the PG determination and CuS/TiO2/FTO photocathode. The photoelectrochemical platforms were characterized by measurements of photocurrent, open circuit potential, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS measurements performed under light and dark conditions show that the photoelectrodes present lower charge transfer resistance under incidence of light. Mott-Schottky analysis indicates that the charge carrier concentration of the CdSe/CdS/FTO and CuS/TiO2/FTO photoelectrodes increases in comparison to CdS/FTO and TiO2/FTO electrodes, respectively. The power versus potential and power versus current curves indicate the dependence of the photoelectrochemical response of the SPPC for PG. The effect of the concentration of propyl gallate on the response of photoelectrochemical self-powered cell produces effects on the photocurrent and the power of the cell. The SPPC presented linear response range for PG from 10 to 400 μmol L−1. •A novel self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor based on CdSe/CdS/FTO and CuS/TiO2/FTO was developed.•The novel self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical activity under visible LED light.•The self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor was firstly developed for propyl gallate determination.•This study opens a new type of self-powered photoelectrochemical assay for propyl gallate sensing.